FORMER France midfielder Claude Makelele has been appointed assistant coach of Premier League strugglers Swansea City, reuniting him with manager Paul Clement.

The 43-year-old Makelele, capped 71 times, signed for the rest of the season in what promises to be a tough battle to preserve Swansea’s Premier League status -- they are second from bottom, but only a point from safety.

Clement is their third manager of the campaign.

Makelele knows Clement well with the latter having been on the coaching staff at Chelsea when the defensive midfielder was still playing and then both worked as coaches at Paris Saint Germain under Carlo Ancelotti.

“Swansea City is pleased to confirm that former French international Claude Makelele has joined the club’s coaching staff,” said a club statement.

The Fox Football Podcast returns for 2017 and there’s much for Adam Peacock, Simon Hill and Daniel Garb to discuss, starting with FIFA’s massive decision for the 2026 World Cup.

His first match alongside Clement in the dugout is a daunting home clash with title contenders Arsenal on Saturday.

Makelele, born in what was then Zaire, enjoyed a trophy-laden career winning the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2002 and league titles in France, Spain and England, as well as being part of the French team that lost to Italy on penalties in the 2006 World Cup final.

ELSEWHERE, former Sydney FC and Japan striker Kazuyoshi Miura will extend one of football’s longest professional careers by 12 months after the 49-year-old agreed a new deal with second division Yokohama FC on Wednesday.

Miura, who scored 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan prior to his international retirement in 2000, is set for his 32nd season as a professional.

“I hope to keep fighting with all my might together with people involved with the club, my team-mates and supporters who have always given me support,” said Miura, who turns 50 on February 26.

Kazuyoshi Miura in 2005.Source: Getty Images

Fondly dubbed ‘King Kazu’, Miura not only broke his own record as the oldest scorer in Japanese professional football in June but also the record of the oldest player to appear in the Emperor’s Cup soccer tournament in September.

Miura, who scored twice in 20 league appearance last year, has played for several clubs in Japan and also enjoyed a spell with Brazil’s Santos.

On August 7, he scored in a match against Cerezo Osaka to make him the J-League’s oldest scorer at 49 years, five months, 12 days.

Kazuyoshi Miura (L) in 2005.Source: AP

In the Premier League, Morgan Schneiderlin has had a medical at Everton ahead of a £22m move from Manchester United, Sky Sports reports.

The potential move to Goodison Park - which could be completed on Wednesday - would see Schneiderlin reunited with his former manager Ronald Koeman, under whom he flourished while the pair were together at Southampton.

And Schneiderlin arrived at the club’s Finch Farm training complex early on Wednesday afternoon as the move gathered pace.

It is understood the fee could rise to £24m with add-ons, with Schneiderlin available to face Manchester City.

“I am sad and happy, sad because I like him and he could be an option for us, happy because this is what he wants, to play every game and be important in the team,” Jose Mourinho said of the midfielder’s departure.

In securing the 22-year-old’s services until June 30, 2018, the Nerazzurri have recruited a pass master who has helped unfancied Atalanta reach sixth place in the Serie A table this season.

Gagliardini has twice been called up for senior Italy duty but is yet to feature in a Giampiero Ventura side, instead turning out for the Azzurrini to a positive reception in 2016.

The Bergamo-born player told inter.it: “I can’t wait to get to work with (Inter head coach Stefano) Pioli, to get to know my teammates and obviously to wear this shirt at San Siro, in front of the Inter fans.

“I hope to make a difference as Inter fight to achieve the lofty targets this club is right to aim for.” Inter are one place behind Gagliardini’s parent club Atalanta in the race for the Scudetto after making a disappointing start to the season, in which Frank de Boer was sacked after just three months as boss.